Making Silk Flowers: Peonies with Anne Tomlin
| Location: Hampton Court Palace | |
|
Technique: Silk Flower Making |
|
|
Duration: 3 days. 10:00am-04:00pm |
|
Course Description
In this workshop we will be studying and constructing all the elements of the Coral Charm Peony, from the carpels in the centre of the flower, making of stamens, petals, calyx, bud and leaves. There are many skills to learn, including working with paper clay to make the carpels, a useful material for many elements of flowers. You will also learn how to stiffen silk, mix procion dyes to make the perfect shades, learn to layer colours, painting with them to create a naturalistic look. You’ll be shaping petals using a wide range of heated French and Japanese tools to create texture and form. Hiding wires between layers of silk for the leaves to create a support for the structure, and binding stems with flat silk to create a fabric-like effect. There will be lots of tips and tricks and hands on individual help, enabling everyone to understand and create a beautiful flower. Each element will be broken down in to clear, and easy to understand stages, interspersed with demonstrations. You’ll be provided with templates, a worksheet, photos, and a kit, and by the end of the workshop you will have gained the skills and knowledge to go away and experiment with making other flowers observing for yourself all the intricacies that nature has to offer.
What you will need to bring
Everything you need to complete your embroidery will be provided as part of the course. We recommend bringing a notebook and pen to make notes throughout the day, along with any favourite embroidery equipment you like to use, such as your own embroidery scissors or needle threader. You are also very welcome to bring your favourite mug for tea and coffee throughout the day.
Tutor Biography
Anne Tomlin
Anne graduated in 1983 from West Surrey College of Art (now part of UCA) with a first-class Honours degree in Textile Design, before studying Millinery at The London School of Fashion. She began designing and making hats in 1985 and started to make a name for herself in the fashion world. By the end of the 1980s she had founded Bailey Tomlin with textile designer Bridget Bailey, and for nearly 20 years they made hats under their own label, as well as collections for many prestigious stores and designers; including Harrods, Liberty, Mulberry, Saks 5th Avenue and Mitsukoshi, regularly exhibiting at the London Designer Show, Chelsea Crafts Fair and The Country Living Fair. She was invited by the British Council to Japan three times between 2001 and 2004, for the prestigious 'British Week’ at Mitsukoshi. Since the hat making years Anne has focused on the studying and making of flowers. Clients include Harriet Anstruther, Jane Taylor Hats, Rachel Skinner and artist Yinka Shonibare, Her work has featured in recent exhibitions: Parfums d’Orient at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris; “Wild & Cultivated: Fashioning the Rose” at the Garden Museum; plus flowers commissioned for “Cecil Beaton’s Fashionable World” at The National Portrait Gallery and is currently working towards an exhibition on flower-making at the Fashion and Textile Museum in Bermondsey curated by Amy de la Haye. She has taught at West Dean College, London College of Fashion, Selvedge Magazine and London Hat Week.
Important Venue Information
Please note this is an in-person class at Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU.
On Arrival
Access to Hampton Court Palace is security controlled. Access to the Palace grounds is only available via the main Palace gate (Trophy Gate) - this is the large gate closest to Hampton Court Bridge. Access is currently not available via other gates. On arrival, walk down the drive to the Palace itself and then around the left-hand (north) side of the building until you see the vehicle security barrier and the entrance to the Security Office.
There will be a member of staff to meet you outside the Security Office at 9.45am to escort you to the classroom. You will be issued a visitor pass - please make sure that you wear this and that it is visible at all times.
Accessibility
Hampton Court Palace dates back to the 14th Century. The main RSN classrooms are on the 3rd floor which can be accessed by the Chocolate Court Stairs in Fountain Court, whilst the other classroom has an additional six steps in order to access it. The palace is very old and the walk to our classrooms may have uneven surfaces, for example cobbles, worn steps, uneven steps and slopes. Please choose footwear that is comfortable and appropriate for the conditions. Some surfaces may be slippery, particularly if they are wet from rain. There is a lift available for acces from Fountain Court to the RSN apartments but access is prioritised for those with mobility issues.
Breaks and Lunchtime
Refreshments will be provided in the morning. You may take your lunch break in our break room or within the Palace gardens. Please bring a packed lunch and drink with you as there are only two sets of Palace facilities and there are likely to be lengthy queues at lunchtime. Please remember to wear your pass at all times.
Access to toilets
There two upstairs toilets will be available, Additional toilet facilities are available in Fountain Court.
Staff
The RSN Education Team are not onsite at the weekend so please do not expect to see any on your visit, if you need to speak with or contact a member of the team please email education@royal-needlework.co.uk in the first instance.
Materials
Your kit will be ready for you in the classroom. Any additional equipment will be available to purchase or borrow from the RSN on the day. It is useful to bring a notepad and pen, a thimble if you use one and a pair of sharp, favoured embroidery scissors.
RSN Shop
The shop is located on the ground floor next to the East Front Gate and will be open between 11am-4pm. We do have a 'click and collect' pickup service option if you wish to order anything from the shop in advance and pick it up when you attend for your class. This option is available at the Online Shop checkout. Please note that five working days notice must be given to use the shop pickup service.
Photography
You may take photographs of your own work in progress, or of other students’ work with their permission. Photography of work on the walls or any RSN collection pieces is not permitted in any area of the RSN. From time to time we may wish to take photographs of your class and work in progress for publicity material to be used on-line and in print. If you would prefer not to be included in these photographs please let us know.
Checklist BEFORE you Leave Home
[ ] HCP Pass – if you have one
[ ] Embroidery Scissors
[ ] Pen and paper
[ ] Drink and packed lunch
Making Silk Flowers: Peonies with Anne Tomlin
- Related products
- Recently viewed